Charles Goldsborough was a politician. He early became active in politics as a Federalist, and was elected to local offices.
Background
Charles Goldsborough was born on July 15, 1765, at “Hunting Creek, ” near Cambridge, Maryland. His father was Charles Goldsborough, a member of the prominent Eastern Shore family and half-brother of Robert Goldsborough; his mother was Anna Maria (Tilghman) Goldsborough.
Education
Goldsborough's early education was obtained at home or in the neighborhood. Later, he attended the University of Pennsylvania where he received the degree of B. A. in 1784 and that of M. A. in 1787. He also studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1790.
Career
From 1791 to 1795 and from 1799 to 1801, Goldsborough was in the state Senate. In 1804, he was elected to Congress from his home district, a Federalist stronghold, and was regularly returned until 1817.
In accordance with a resolution of the legislature in 1817, he rendered a report, recommending the revision of methods of calculating tolls, the joining of existing turnpikes so as to connect Baltimore with the National Road at Cumberland, state ownership of turnpikes, and the establishment of a board to investigate the possibility of roads and a canal to the West.
Another serious question was the democratization of the state government. Up to this time, Maryland had been Federalist, but the Republicans had been growing steadily in strength and claimed that a fair distribution of representation would put the state in their control.
In the session of 1818, the Federalists had a majority in joint session and had defeated a bill to increase the representation of Baltimore. The election of Goldsborough without popular approval had started an agitation for the popular election of the governor.
Much, therefore, turned upon the election of October 4, 1819. In this sharp contest, the Republicans won a majority of the joint session, and consequently, Goldsborough had to retire from the governorship on December 20 following.
He also withdrew entirely from public life, and resided on his estate at Shoal Creek, near Cambridge, Maryland, until his death.
Achievements
Politics
Goldsborough early became active in politics as a Federalist and was elected to local offices.
Membership
Goldsborough was a member of the American Antiquarian Society.
Connections
On September 22, 1793, Goldsborough married Elizabeth, daughter of Judge Robert Goldsborough of Talbot County, by whom he had two children.
After her death, he married in 1804, his cousin Sarah Yerbury Goldsborough, daughter of Charles Goldsborough of “Horn’s Point” and grand-daughter of Robert Goldsborough, the Revolutionary leader. She lived until 1821 and bore him fifteen children.
Father:
Charles Goldsborough
Mother:
Anna Maria Tilghman Smith
Brother:
William Tilghman Goldsborough
Brother:
William Mason Smith
Brother:
Robert Mason Smith, Jr
Wife:
Elizabeth Goldsborough
Wife:
Sarah Yerbury Goldsborough
Daughter:
Caroline Fitzhugh Goldsborough Dandridge
Daughter:
Anna Maria Sarah Goldsborough Fitzhugh
Daughter:
Wilhelmina Elizabeth Cadwallader Goldsborough Laird